ster·e·ol·o·gy 
(stĕr′ē-ŏlə-jē, stîr′-)
(stĕr′ē-ŏlə-jē, stîr′-)n.
The study of three-dimensional properties of objects or matter usually observed two-dimensionally.
ster′e·o·logic (-ə-lŏjĭk), ster′e·o·logi·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj.
ster′e·o·logi·cal·ly adv.
ster′e·olo·gist n.